Key facts
- Founded 1997 · headquartered in Overland Park, KS
- Privately held
- FMCSA broker authority: ACTIVE (MC-196502)
- #17 on the Transport Topics Top 100 (2026)
- Gross revenue: $1.26B per Transport Topics 2026
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, Flatbed
About Ryan Transportation Service
Ryan Transportation Service is an employee-owned (ESOP) freight broker headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, founded in 1997. The company ranks #17 on the Transport Topics 2026 Top 100 with $1.26 billion in 2025 gross revenue, and operates with approximately 700 full W-2 employees rather than an independent-agent model. Ryan's carrier network covers all 48 contiguous states, Canada, and Mexico across FTL, LTL, refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal, air, and expedited freight.
While core volume runs on dry van and flatbed FTL, Ryan operates significant secondary capacity in intermodal, air, and expedited combined — roughly 3,000 loads per month across those three modes. Refrigerated and LTL services round out the multi-modal offering for shippers with mixed freight profiles. Cross-border capability extends in both directions: US–Canada volume actually exceeds US–Mexico, supported by in-country carrier relationships and established processes at major crossings on both borders.
Technology stack includes API and EDI integrations, an internal load board, a shipper portal, and real-time tracking — competitive on capability with the top 20 brokers. The combination of national coverage, multi-modal capacity, employee ownership, and tech-enabled service makes Ryan a strong fit for mid-market and enterprise shippers who want a single broker relationship for diversified freight.
Load Types Transport Topics Top 100
FMCSA & Licensing FMCSA Li-Public
Coverage
All 48 contiguous states · Canada · Mexico
Strongest Lanes
Strengths
- Employee-owned (ESOP) — all brokers are full W-2 employees, not independent agents, giving direct accountability and consistent service quality
- Strong national carrier network with broad coverage across all 48 contiguous states, Canada, and Mexico
- Multi-modal capacity: FTL dry van, flatbed, refrigerated, LTL, intermodal, air, and expedited — roughly 3,000 loads per month across intermodal, air, and expedited combined
- Cross-border experience in both directions — more US–Canada than US–Mexico volume, with established carrier relationships at major crossings on both borders
- Significant technology stack — API and EDI integrations, internal load board, shipper portal, and real-time tracking
- 39+ years of active FMCSA broker authority with strong FMCSA + freight forwarder dual authority and BMC-84 surety bond on file
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FAQ
Is Ryan Transportation Service licensed and bonded as a freight broker?
Ryan Transportation Service, Inc. holds active FMCSA broker + freight forwarder authority (MC-196502 / FF-2351 / DOT 2213666) with a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond on file with Old Republic Surety Company, effective 01/31/2023. Independent broker (not YRC affiliated). Broker authority active 39+ years.
What types of freight does Ryan Transportation move?
Ryan moves all major freight modes. Dry van TL and flatbed are primary; intermodal, air, and expedited combined represent significant secondary volume — roughly 3,000 loads per month across those three modes alone. Refrigerated and LTL are also active. Coverage spans US-48, Canada, and Mexico with cross-border service in both directions.
How do Ryan Transportation's rates and coverage compare to other top brokers?
Ryan ranks #17 on the Transport Topics 2026 Top 100 with $1.26B in 2025 revenue. As an employee-owned (ESOP) broker with ~700 W-2 brokers — not independent agents — and a national carrier network across 48 states plus Canada and Mexico, Ryan competes directly with top-20 brokers on both rate and coverage. Strengths include cross-border Canada and Mexico, multi-modal capacity, and dense Midwest–Texas–Southeast lane coverage.